Patent Application
20140325716
The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.
The variety denomination is ‘Merced’.
This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivar designated as ‘Merced’. The new cultivar was the result of a cross performed in 2007 between two unreleased germplasm accessions, Cal 3.92-8 (unpatented) and Cal 2.95-4 (unpatented). Accession Cal 3.92-8 was chosen as a parent due to its very high productivity, large, firm, and high quality fruit, and very high plant vigor. Accession Cal 2.95-4 was chosen as a parent due to its compact plant habit and firm, flavorful fruit.
‘Merced’ was first fruited at an experimental orchard near Winters, Calif., in 2008, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 7.132-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘C229’. It was later designated ‘Merced’ for introduction into commerce and for international registration and recognition. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at facilities in Watsonville, Calif., in Irvine, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2009. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
‘Merced’ is a short-day (June bearing) type cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Merced’ is similar to ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), but with greater productivity, higher quality fruit, less vigorous plant, and lighter colored fruit. It is also similar to ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and ‘Benicia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,542) but having a more compact plant, later fruiting, superior fruit quality, and firmer, better flavored fruit.
The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Merced’ cultivar.
‘Merced’ is typical of short-day strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. The production pattern for ‘Merced’ is similar to that for ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), although it is somewhat later to initiate fruiting with most cultural treatments. ‘Merced’ initiates fruiting substantially later than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and ‘Benicia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,542) when established in very early fall. ‘Merced’ will be of special interest for winter plantings, where ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Benicia’ have been successful, and in summer plantings where ‘Chandler’ (U. S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262) and ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) have been successful.
Plants and foliage:
With most cultural treatments, fruiting plants of ‘Merced’ are more open and erect that any of the comparison cultivars, and somewhat smaller than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Benicia’ throughout most of the production season. ‘Merced’ plants are similar in size to ‘Camarosa’ in most production environments. Comparative statistics of foliar characteristics near mid-season are given for ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Merced’ are smaller than any of the comparison cultivars, and are less elongated than ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Ventana’. Further, leaves (including petioles) for ‘Merced’ are slightly shorter than for ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’, and substantially shorter than for ‘Benicia’. Petioles for ‘Merced’ are generally longer and thinner than those of the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Merced’ are similar in color to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Benicia’, and darker and less yellow than ‘Ventana’ leaves at mid-season. Leaves of ‘Merced’ have consistently more concavity than ‘Camarosa’, and are similar to those for ‘Ventana’. Serrations at mid-season are more pointed than for ‘Benicia’, but similar in shape and number to ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’.
Disease and pest reaction:
‘Merced’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), but is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), and susceptible to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae). It is resistant to Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table 2). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that of the comparison cultivars. ‘Merced’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.
Colletotrichum was evaluated in 2009.
Phytophthora
Verticillium
Colletotrichum
Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:
‘Merced’ is similar to other California short-day strawberry cultivars (e. g. ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Benicia’) in that it will flower over an extended period and into spring or summer, given appropriate local temperature and horticultural conditions. With most planting treatments ‘Merced’ produces fruit later than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Benicia’ but earlier than ‘Camarosa’. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for the four cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Merced’ are similar in size to ‘Camarosa’, with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit. The flowers are smaller than for ‘Benicia’ and ‘Ventana’. The calyx for ‘Merced’ varies in position but frequently has a slight indent early in the season. Each primary flower has 6-7 petals, similar to the comparison cultivars on average. The fruit shape for ‘Merced’ can vary but is typically medium to long conic, which is rarely flattened or slightly obovate. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Camarosa’ (shortened and flattened conic), or ‘Ventana’ (medium symmetrical conic), and ‘Benicia’ (often flattened). External and internal fruit color for ‘Merced’ is lighter than that of ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Benicia’, and similar to that of ‘Ventana’ (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly extruded.
‘Merced’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those of ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Benicia’ are used. In general, plants of ‘Merced’ are similar in vigor to ‘Camarosa’, and less vigorous than ‘Ventana’ with very early season planting. ‘Merced’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.
When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Merced’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). Commercial appearance ratings have also been better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially in comparison with ‘Camarosa’. Fruit from ‘Merced’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Ventana’, but similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Merced’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home gardening purposes.
Flower and plant measurements were obtained in April 2012. Fruit measurements were obtained in between May 10-20, 2012.
